1799 $1 Draped Bust Silver Dollar, 8x5 Stars BB-159 PCGS VF30

Here’s a rare piece from the early days of our nation and national mint in Philadelphia to include in your collection. Plus, it is a more affordable option in its assigned grade of VF30. PCGS has graded 4 examples of the 8 x 5 Stars, BB-159, as VF30 with 22 finer. Collectors Universe prices this variety at $4,750.00 in VF30.

Ann Willing Bingham, the alleged model for the Draped Bust coinage, as rendered in a sketch by Gilbert Stuart, 1785. Image: Wikimedia Commons.

The year 1799 saw the fifth year of the Draped Bust type silver dollar, which had replaced the Flowing Hair type of 1794-1795. The obverse was engraved by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Robert Scot. This design also appeared upon the fractional copper and silver coinage as well, but first appeared on the dollar.

Numismatic lore tells us that the appearance of Liberty was modeled upon a Philadelphia socialite from a drawing by artist Gilbert Stuart. This design change after only one year (from the Flowing Hair type) was the brain-child of Mint Director Henry DeSaussure (and perhaps with the encouragement of President Washington) in his desire to improve the look of all U.S. coinage. John Eckstein, an artist from Rhode Island, crafted a plaster model of Stuart's rendering, from which Scot prepared the dies.